the beginning

It started on a lark, really. My best friend came to visit Portland for a few weeks, and we were downtown, wandering around the First Thursday gallery openings. She's been a pedicab driver in Chicago for several years, and she's pretty much addicted to it. We saw a pedicab cruise by and she chased it down, and started chatting with the driver. By the next afternoon, we were on our way downtown so she could do a test ride with Portland's new pedicab company. On the phone, she mentioned that she had a friend with her, and the owner replied "well, she can come, too!"

A few hours later, that very evening, I found myself careening a tricycle through the streets of downtown Portland. At first I thought I'd just do it occasionally to make extra money and keep my legs strong, but within 2 weeks I'd given my notice at my old job. The future looks bright.